Alzenauer Sande, Nature reserve in Alzenau, Germany

Alzenauer Sande is a nature reserve near Alzenau divided into three sections with sandy terrain throughout. The area encompasses sand and steppe habitats with open sandy landscapes and specialized vegetation adapted to these dry and warm conditions.

Blown sand from the Main riverbanks piled up at the end of the last Ice Age, and around 1820 two drifting-sand covers of 2,500 hectares lay north and south of the Kahl. Deforestation of dunes up to 10 m high buried Alzenau in sand; a report describes the whole area darkened by streams of sand. Birches and pines planted in 1856 finally fixed the sand, and the 95.5-hectare reserve was designated in March 1993.

The name Alzenauer Sande refers to the wind-blown sands that once darkened the whole area around Alzenau, as an old report describes. Birches and pines planted in 1856 fixed the dunes. Today the reserve is part of the Europe-wide Natura 2000 network, and the Degen-Weg runs along its edge.

The terrain is accessible on foot, with information boards showing the way and explaining the sand biotopes. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the sandy ground and open areas are easy to navigate in most weather conditions.

Two of the sand dunes are officially recognized as geotopes and display different surface patterns. Kühbruch dune has flat irregularities while Sauweide dune shows wavy formations.